Cortez, FL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Cortez, Manatee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Cortez What TALON shows

What weather hits Cortez?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Coastal Manatee forecast zone and Manatee County — the most common reported hazard around Cortez, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (37 days) and flooding (31 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	78	Aug 2025	Sep 2, 2022 · $200,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage	37	Aug 2024	Sep 7, 2021 · 1 death
Flooding	31	Sep 2022	Aug 26, 2017 · 1 death · $1.3 million damage
Flash flooding	13	Oct 2024	Aug 9, 2003 · 1 death · $1.3 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms	12	Oct 2024	Sep 28, 2022 · 4 deaths · $1.0 billion damage
Storm surge	7	Oct 2024	Nov 11, 2020 · 1 death
Coastal flooding	1	Dec 2023	—
Wildfires	1	Mar 2000	Mar 11, 2000 · $20,000 damage

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Coastal Manatee forecast zone and Manatee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Cortez?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 23 miles northeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.

Radar	Distance	Lowest beam over Cortez	View
KTBW Tampa, FL	23 mi northeast	1,300 ft	Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB Melbourne, FL	131 mi east-northeast	14,600 ft	Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KAMX Miami, FL	190 mi southeast	26,700 ft	Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms

Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.

Tornado & hail history near Cortez

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 196 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cortez, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F4 on April 15, 1958, which touched down about 14 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 4, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 57 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 3, 2001.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.

On TALON you get Cortez's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.

Cortez radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Cortez, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 23 miles northeast. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Cortez?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cortez the lowest scan from KTBW is about 1,300 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Cortez free?

Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.

Should I rely on radar for my safety?

No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Cortez, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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